Pergolas have become one of the most sought-after additions to UK gardens, and it's easy to see why. A well-chosen structure adds a genuinely usable outdoor room — somewhere that works in sunshine, handles a shower, and looks considered all year round.
But which kind? The two most popular options right now are the electric pergola, with its motorised retractable roof, and the louvered pergola, where you tilt the roof slats yourself. Both are built from powder-coated aluminium, both are designed for year-round outdoor living, and both will change the way you use your garden. The choice comes down to how you want to live out there.
This guide walks through the key differences — practical, aesthetic, and financial — so you can make the right call for your space.
What is an Electric Pergola?
An electric pergola is a freestanding aluminium structure with a motorised roof. At the touch of a button — or via remote control — the roof extends to provide full shelter or retracts to open the space to the sky. Many models include integrated LED lighting, drainage concealed within the frame, and optional side panels or blinds for privacy and wind protection.
The appeal is pure immediacy. When the weather turns, you don’t have to move or think. The roof closes in seconds. When the sun comes out again, it opens just as quickly. For anyone who entertains regularly or simply wants their garden to feel genuinely usable in all seasons, that level of responsiveness makes a real difference.
Ruma’s Abierto Electric Pergola is a beautiful example. At 3m x 4m, it’s a substantial freestanding structure — equally at home positioned close to the house to extend your living space outwards, or set as a standalone centrepiece further into the garden.
The roof is remote-controlled, closing and opening with ease, and the integrated LED colour-changing lighting gives the space a mood that shifts from bright afternoon to atmospheric evening without any effort. Optional louvred panels and electric roller blinds let you customise each side of the structure for shade, shelter, or privacy, and all four sides can be configured independently.
The frame is finished in a sleek black powder-coated aluminium that handles British weather without complaint.
What is a Manual Pergola?
A manual louvered pergola has a roof made up of adjustable aluminium slats — the louvres — that tilt open and closed by hand, usually via a simple crank mechanism. When the slats are fully closed, they form a weatherproof roof, with rainwater channelled through the frame’s integrated drainage system and away through the legs. Open them partially, and you get dappled light and a breeze. Open them fully, and you have an open-air space that still feels defined and considered.
There’s a quiet pleasure to it on a warm afternoon — tilting the slats a little more open as the sun moves or closing them slightly when the temperature drops.
Ruma’s Pavillo Teak Effect Pergola brings its own distinct character to this category. At 3.5m x 3.5m, it’s a generous square footprint — large enough to cover a dining set or a substantial lounging arrangement with ease. The frame is powder-coated aluminium with a warm teak-effect wood finish, which gives it a more natural, organic feel than the typical grey or black aluminium pergola, with only slightly less durability. The tilting louvres switch from fully covered to fully open simply and smoothly, and LED lighting can be added to extend the space into the evening. Professional installation is included, and a five-year structural guarantee backs up the build quality.
Electric Pergola vs Manual Pergola: The Key Differences
Convenience and Control
The electric pergola wins on pure ease. The motorised roof responds to the weather without requiring anything from you — which, in a British summer where conditions can change quickly, is a genuine practical advantage. If you’re mid-lunch with guests and the clouds roll in, the roof closes without anyone needing to leave the table.
The non electrified louvered pergola asks a little more of you. Adjusting the slats is simple, but it is a manual process. For most people this is not a hardship — it takes seconds, and for those who enjoy being present in their outdoor space, it becomes part of the experience rather than an inconvenience.
Weather Performance
Both handle UK weather well when correctly specified. The Abierto’s retractable roof closes fully against heavier rain, while the Pavillo’s louvres form a waterproof seal when closed, with drainage running efficiently through the legs. In practice, either will keep you comfortable through a typical British downpour.
For very exposed positions or gardens that catch strong prevailing winds, the electric closure of the Abierto may offer marginally more protection — a fully retracted electric roof leaves less surface area for the wind to act on. With any louvered pergola, the roof should be fully closed rather than left partially open in strong gusts to protect the mechanism.
Aesthetic and Style
This is where the two options diverge most noticeably. The Abierto has a clean, architectural look — sleek black aluminium, straight lines, and that LED-lit evening ambience that gives it a distinctly designed, contemporary feel. It suits modern garden spaces and outdoor furniture with a similar profile.
The Pavillo takes a different direction. The teak-effect finish brings warmth and texture to the frame, giving it the visual softness of a natural material with only slightly less durability. It sits naturally alongside outdoor furniture with wood elements, rattan-effect weave, or any scheme that leans towards a warmer, more relaxed aesthetic. If the Abierto is a statement, the Pavillo is a complement — it brings everything together rather than anchoring the space around itself.
Power and Installation
The Abierto requires a power source for the motorised roof and LED lighting. If your garden is already set up for outdoor electrics, this is seamless. If not, it is worth factoring an electrical installation into the overall project plan. The pergola is professionally delivered and installed as standard, which takes the complexity out of the physical setup.
The Pavillo, with no motorised components, has simpler installation requirements. There are no electrical connections needed for the structure itself — LED lighting can be added, but the core pergola operates without any power source. Professional installation is included, making setup equally straightforward.
Size
The Abierto is 3m x 4m — a rectangular footprint that suits long dining sets or combined dining and lounging arrangements. The Pavillo is 3.5m x 3.5m — a square footprint that works particularly well over a circular or square outdoor lounge set, or a round dining table arrangement. Both are generous, full-garden-room structures rather than supplementary shade solutions.
Which Should You Choose?
If you entertain regularly across all seasons, want a space that adapts to the weather without any effort on your part, and are drawn to a sleek contemporary aesthetic, the Abierto is the right choice. The motorised roof, integrated LED lighting, and customisable side panels make it one of the most capable outdoor structures available at this price point.
If you want a beautifully finished, warmly styled pergola that you control yourself, and the teak-effect aesthetic suits your garden scheme, the Pavillo is an excellent choice. It delivers the same year-round performance — waterproof roof, integrated drainage, professional installation — in a form that feels more connected to the natural materials and relaxed textures of a well-considered outdoor space.
Both are genuine investments in how your garden lives. The right one depends on how much automation you want, and which aesthetic feels more like you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Pergolas
Do electric pergolas need a power source nearby?
Yes. The motorised roof and LED lighting on an electric pergola require a power connection. If your garden isn’t already wired for outdoor electrics, it is worth arranging this before installation. For the Abierto, professional delivery and installation is included as standard, and the team can advise on electrical requirements ahead of the visit.
Can a manual pergola withstand heavy rain?
A well-specified aluminium manual pergola with an integrated drainage system performs well in rain. When the louvres are fully closed, water is channeled into the framework and exits through the legs at ground level, keeping the space beneath dry. The key is ensuring the louvres are fully closed rather than partially open during heavy downpours, so the drainage system works as intended.
Do garden pergolas need planning permission in the UK?
In most cases, no. Modern aluminium pergolas are typically classified as temporary or semi-permanent structures and fall within permitted development rights for residential gardens. However, if your property is listed, sits in a conservation area, or the structure exceeds certain size thresholds, it is always worth checking with your local planning authority before installation.